Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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Medi-Cal Rx FFS Delayed to April 1
The administration of Medi-Cal Pharmacy Benefits through the fee-for-service delivery system has been delayed until April 1. In the interim, all current prescription drug service processes and protocols, both effectuated by DHCS and Medi-Cal managed care plans, will remain unchanged and in place until Medi-Cal Rx launches. Medi-Cal Rx will include all pharmacy services billed as a pharmacy claim, including outpatient drugs (e.g., physician administered drugs [PADs]); enteral nutrition products; and medical supplies. It will not include pharmacy services billed as a medical (professional) or institutional claim.
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Quick Survey: How do Health Disparities Show Up?
Do your patients have equal access to quality care? Is systemic racism a true public health emergency? ACCMA wants to hear your opinion! Take this 5-minute survey by Friday, Dec. 4.
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Advocating Against Medicare Payment Cuts
The American Medical Association and many specialty organizations sent a letter to members of Congress to lobby for a bill ( HR 8702) that would freeze Medicare payments at 2020 rates for two years for services scheduled to be cut in 2021, while allowing the planned E/M payment increases to take place as scheduled. The bill would also avert steep payment cuts for hospital, nursing home, and critical care visits. In the proposed rule issued last summer, CMS estimated the range of impacts on specialties to be between -11% to +17%. depending on the mix of services provided. All specialties will benefit from higher average payments under HR 8702. The bill was introduced by Reps. Ami Bera, MD (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN).
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MIEC Launches Program to Encourage Early Reporting of Adverse Events
MIEC, the endorsed medical malpractice insurer of ACCMA, recently announced the launch of RESTORE, a new program to help policy holders. The program was developed to encourage the early reporting of unanticipated adverse events resulting in patient injury, and to facilitate early intervention resulting in meaningful resolution and restored relationships. It grew out of MIEC’s 40-year history of advocating for and protecting our members, and the patients they treat. The program is founded upon one core principle: Rebuild strong relationships through recovery and engagement. To learn more, click here.
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Harassment Training Requirement
By January 1, 2021, employers with five or more employees must provide interactive harassment prevention training to all employees in California. Supervisory employees must receive two hours of training and non-supervisory employees must receive one hour. After the initial training, all employees must receive "refresher training" every two years.
Furthermore, effective January 1, 2021, employers must provide sexual harassment training for all employees, including seasonal and temporary employees, within 30 calendar days of hire or within their first 100 hours worked, whichever comes first.
Free trainings from the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing that produces certificates for your documentation can be found here.
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Local Residency Programs Awarded CalMedForce Grants
Residency programs at Alameda Health System-Highland Hospital, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, and Lifelong Medical Care were among 101 programs statewide to be awarded FY 2020-21 CalMedForce funding to support medical training and residency programs to help grow the physician workforce. The funding, generated by the voter-approved Proposition 56 tobacco tax in 2016, will pay for residency positions in programs that focus on serving medically underserved groups and communities. The combined local funding was $1.65M out of over $38M awarded statewide.
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COVID-19 Updates
The California Medical Association has signed onto a letter urging payors across the nation to immediately adopt and pay for the new CPT code, 99072, that is used to report the additional practice expenses necessary to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19.
The American Medical Association (AMA) is urging the Trump Administration to share critical COVID-19 information with the transition team of President-Elect Joseph Biden. The AMA sent a joint letter with the American Hospital Association and the American Nurses Association.
The ACCMA and the California Medical Association (CMA) are continuing to provide PPE directly to medical practices in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. A two-month supply of N95 masks, surgical masks, isolation gowns, face shields, vinyl gloves, goggles, coveralls, and hand sanitizers may be ordered (click here for specs). PPE order forms are reviewed and if approved, will be shipped directly to medical offices. Only shipping and handling fees are charged for each individual case shipped. For groups with multiple offices, a separate form must be completed for each location. Please contact the ACCMA at accma@accma.org or (510) 654-5383 for more information.
The FDA granted emergency use authorization for the investigational monoclonal antibody therapy bamlanivimab for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients. Alameda County and Contra Costa County received a limited number of doses from the state.
Due to very rapid and widespread increases in COVID-19 cases, Alameda County, city of Berkeley, and Contra Costa County moved back into the purple tier, the most restrictive level in the state's reopening framework. A limited curfew order will also take effect 10 pm on Saturday, Nov. 21 through 5 am on Monday, Dec. 21; the curfew order is from 10 pm to 5 am daily for all counties in the purple tier. Outdoor activities will be limited. A list of essential businesses can be found here.
The California Department of Public Health issued new guidance this week, "A face covering is required at all times when outside of the home, with some exceptions."
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Tuesday, December 1 | 12:15 - 1:30 PM
Members: FREE | Non-members: $149
Good news for physicians tired of counting bullet points to assign an evaluation and management level for outpatient office visits. Per new AMA guidelines, it's going to be a whole lot simpler. As of January 1, 2021, physicians will select an E/M code based on total time spent on the date of the encounter or medical decision making (MDM) - whichever is most financially advantageous. This means streamlined documentation.
Join Mary Jean Sage for a discussion of:
- Which E/M services will have changes in 2021
- CPT's new Table of Medical Decision Making - what does each element mean
- Documenting the Elements of MDM
- Documenting Time for New Patient and Established Patient Visits
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Wednesday, December 2, 2020 | 10:00 - 11:00 am
Presented by CMA and Rockpointe
This activity has been planned for clinicians who manage patients with diabetes with the most up-to-date information so that they can appropriately advise patients with diabetes on how to avoid infection, monitor patients with diabetes who develop COVID-19, and recognize and manage complications as they occur to minimize morbidity and mortality.
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On-Demand Webinar Available Thursday, December 3
Members: $49 | Non-members: $149
CME Available | Presented with MIEC
Physicians who are facing medical malpractice litigation—a common occurrence in the medical profession—experience a unique type of stress which, if not addressed effectively, can compromise their ability to care for patients both during and after a lawsuit.
You will learn how the litigation process works, how to best cope with the stress of litigation, what lessons physicians should learn from the experience, and how to incorporate constructive changes into your practice. Presenters include an experienced liability defense attorney, a physician discussing his experience of being a defendant, and the manager of patient safety and risk management at MIEC.
Click here to register for the on-demand webinar. |
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FREE | Presented by CMA and Rockpointe
Webinar is scheduled for:
- Wednesday, December 9, 2020, 4:00pm - 5:00pm PST
- Tuesday, December 15, 2020, 10:00am - 11:00am PST
This program will provide clinicians with the most up-to-date information on telemedicine in asthma care to promote easier transitions to this new and necessary form of care for their patients. Education on best practices for incorporating telemedicine in the asthma and allergist clinic, including different strategies for virtual healthcare visits and remote patient monitoring, how to manage treatment in the telemedicine setting, and how to navigate the complex and continuously evolving legal and regulatory landscape pertaining to telehealthcare.
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Thursday, January 7 | 12:15 - 1:30 PM
Members: FREE | Non-members: $149
Don’t miss your opportunity to make the most of the ever-changing healthcare reimbursement landscape! First you must understand the challenges you may be facing. Learn the important changes in Medicare for 2021 and how they may affect your practice reimbursement for the coming year(s). Changes are sometimes subtle, but they can have a lasting effect on your practice.
Join Mary Jean Sage for a discussion of:
- Overall Payment Update
- Medicare Telehealth Services
- E & M Services: 2021 & beyond
- Coding and documentation
- Payment
- Advanced Diagnostic Imaging: Latest update
- MIPS 2021 – What you need to report
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ACCMA's On-Demand Library
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Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or accma@accma.org with any questions or concerns you have.
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